ATLANTA (AP) A group of Georgia officials will study the state's approach to providing mental health care for children and recommend future changes.
Gov. Nathan Deal issued an executive order on Wednesday forming the Commission on Children's Mental Health. Members include the leaders of several state agencies focused on health, Deal's budget director, and representatives for outside advocacy groups.
A House of Representatives study committee on children's mental health met several times in 2015. The panel found a shortage of child psychiatrists and psychologists statewide and also wanted state agencies that provide various mental health services to better collaborate.
Deal's appointed commission has a Sept. 1 deadline to make recommendations to the governor.
The commission members include:
- Co-Chairwoman Katie Childers, Governor’s deputy chief of staff of policy
- Co-Chairwoman Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
- Commissioner Frank Berry, Department of Community Health
- Director Bobby Cagle, Department of Family and Child Services
- Director Teresa MacCartney, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and the state’s Chief Financial Officer
- Stephanie Blank, Founding Chairwoman, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students
- Erica Fener Sitkoff, Policy and Outreach Director, Voices for Georgia’s Children
- Dr. Jordan Greenbaum, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
